At a glance: Rare pictures of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

New Delhi: With a multi-featured persona, the former prime minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee has created a rare aura for himself over the past so many years. Born in Gwalior in 1924, Vajpayee completed his studies in political science. His first encounter with Indian polity was in the year 1942 when he became a part of the Quit India movement. He abandoned his law studies and chose to become a journalist. Atal Bihari Vajpayee with his entire familyHe soon joined mainstream politics and became a founder-member of Bhartiya Jan Sangh and later Bhartiya Janta Party. He became the party president and served till first five years. He also became the only parliament member to be elected from four states, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Vajpayee in his younger daysHe became the prime minister for the first time in 1996 but his tenure was short lived (13 days). After two years, in 1998 he was again elected as the prime minister and in 1999 for a second consecutive time. Vajpaye with sme BJP leadersA great orator, Vajpayee was popular for his speeches. He made some powerful and inspiring quotes to strengthen Indo-Pak relations. His poetic skills have won him admirers across this sub-continent. His respectable status and reputation created a charm amongst the Indian people. Vajpayee enjoying some moments with his petVajpayee will be remembered in history as the Indian prime minister who okayed Pokharan II when India conducted nuclear and thermonuclear tests and India joined the nuclear elite club.The Kargil war was won during his tenure and China for the first time acknowledged Sikkim to be an integral part of India.Vajpayee also iniitiated the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Golden Quadrilateral and East-West North-South Corridor.Vajpayee with Mrs. Ameena AhujaVajpayee with his petVajpayee with his colleague and famous BJP leader LK AdvaniVajpayee with former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubara